Flavoured milk is increasingly favoured by Swiss citizens, according to Canadean beverage research. Though this is still a small market, continual growth has been experienced and is also expected in 2012. The increase in popularity is largely due to the presence of Shakeria milk shakes in Selecta vending machines. Selecta boasts prolific advertising and channel presence, which has in turn improved brand awareness and recognition for the flavoured milk product at other points of sale. Source: Canadean Switzerland Quarterly Beverage Tracker

The carbonated soft drinks market was hit particularly hard in Q4-11 by the ban of carbonates in school canteens in Turkey. Drinks research has shown that consumption dropped by 6% when over 15 million consumers were affected by the ban. This government decision has also lead to a negative consumer perception of the category, particularly as health awareness grows. Source: Canadean Turkey Quarterly Beverage Tracker

Consumption of energy drinks in the Netherlands continued to rise in Q4-11, and the category was the star performer of the quarter. Enthusiastic young consumers are expected to support growth in 2012, with a 5% increase in volume predicted. Canadean's beverage consultants note that to ensure the longevity of this burgeoning beverage category, product innovations and market segmentation must continue. Source: Canadean Netherlands Quarterly Beverage Tracker

Canadean beverage consultants have found continuing growth in the energy drinks category in Slovak Republic. In the face of weakening consumer confidence in the economy, the changing habits of younger consumers have resulted in a 20% increase in volumes in Q4-11 alone. Strong marketing campaigns from key players have fuelled sales and further growth is expected in the coming year. Source: Canadean Slovak Republic Quarterly Beverage Tracker

According to Canadean research, the energy drinks category continued to thrive in 2011 in Demark. This can again be credited to the Red Bull factor. 2012 could well be another good year for the energy drinks market. The rules on the caffeine content of energy drinks have been changed recently, allowing a 50cl can to have a higher caffeine content than a 25cl can. This is expected to trigger a surge in larger formats of energy drinks and has already prompted the arrival of the popular American brand Monster. Source: Canadean Denmark Qurterly Beverage Tracker

Drinks research shows that sales of sports drinks increased by 17% in Q4-11. The category volume increase is driven by recovering consumer spending along with new product penetration earlier in 2011.  Source: Canadan Estonia Quarterly Beverage Tracker

Drinks research shows that Iced/rtd tea drinks in Italy grew by 2% in Q4-11, resulting in full year growth of over 2%. As a highly seasonal category, iced/rtd tea drinks benefited from the above average temperatures during the quarter, particularly in October.  Source: Canadean Italy Quarterly Beverage Tracker

Quarterly carbonates volume is estimated to have dropped by over 6%, according to statistics produced by Canadean, as cautious or outright cash-strapped consumers increasingly shun non-essential items of all sorts. The drop could have been even worse, had it not been for the deeper and more prolonged discounts for a variety of brands, especially franchised. Also the continuing rise of Private Label products sold at rock-bottom prices helped prevent a steeper decline. Source: Bulgaria Quarterly Beverage Tracker